Taipei to Amend Law to Waive Millions in Fees for Elevator Installation in Old Apartments

Central News Agency Report

(Central News Agency reporter Huang Li-yun, Taipei, June 17) To encourage the installation of elevators in aging apartment buildings, the Taipei City Council's Legal Affairs Committee today passed an amendment to the 'Taipei City Building-Attached Parking Space Payment and Management Regulations.' If elevator installation results in the reduction or elimination of legally mandated parking spaces, the associated payment fees will be waived.

The Legal Affairs Committee of the Taipei City Council reviewed the amendment to the 'Taipei City Building-Attached Parking Space Payment and Management Regulations' today. Kuomintang councilor Wang Chih-ping proposed the waiver, stating that despite years of urban renewal efforts, progress has been slow due to numerous restrictions. Taipei City has the highest proportion of aging apartments nationwide, making it a super-aged society.

Wang Chih-ping emphasized that improving the quality of life for seniors and people with mobility challenges is crucial. The government has long promoted elevator installation with increased subsidies. However, if an elevator site overlaps with a legally required parking space, current regulations mandate payment of replacement fees, increasing community burdens and creating barriers to applications. New Taipei City has already exempted such fees, and Wang urged Taipei to follow suit.

Yu Chi-hsueh, Director of Taipei City's Building Management Office, stated during questioning that under current law, changes in use and payment of fees are indeed required. In Taipei, the fee for one parking space ranges from approximately NT$2 million to NT$3 million, which significantly burdens communities seeking to install elevators. Amending the law would reduce these burdens and disputes.

Jan Szu-fang, Director of Taipei City's Department of Urban Development, explained that elevator installation subsidies are part of the city's 'Eight Arrows of Urban Renewal' policy. Subsidy amounts have been increased, yielding results: 50 applications were submitted in 2025 (Minguo Year 114), and a total of 178 applications have been received to date, all financially supported by the urban renewal fund.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) councilor Chen Hsien-wei suggested that the best long-term solution for old apartments remains either urban renewal or hazard-prone building reconstruction. He urged the city government to simultaneously assess residents' willingness toward urban renewal while coordinating elevator installations. Fellow DPP councilors Hsu Shu-hua and Hung Chien-yi raised concerns about whether buildings receiving elevator subsidies are restricted from demolition for five years, potentially conflicting with urban renewal plans.

Yu Chi-hsueh noted that no cases have yet arisen where elevator installation required fee payments due to parking space reductions. All approved cases so far have been straightforward.

He added that older connected-style apartment buildings often required 100% landowner consent for elevator installation under original building permits. This was later revised by law to require only majority consent (over 50%).

Jan Szu-fang stated that elevator installation aims to immediately improve residents' living conditions and serve as a foundation for future urban renewal consensus. Hence, a 'no demolition within five years' rule is in place. Based on past experience, urban renewal involves lengthy processes—from gathering consensus, submitting development plans, approval, negotiating with dissenting households, to demolition.

KMT councilor Hsu Hung-ting questioned whether, if urban renewal is completed within five years and demolition becomes necessary, returning the subsidy should suffice. He suggested retaining such a clause for flexibility. Jan responded that no such provision currently exists but could be discussed.

The amendment passed committee review and is scheduled for second reading at the upcoming extraordinary council session. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150617